Read Online Elder Isles 2: The Green Pearl by Jack Vance - Free Book Online Page A

steady.”
    “And after you left Xounges?”
    “I had a most curious adventure involving an evil green pearl, which I joyfully relinquished to a robber, then proceeded across Dahaut to Avallon.”
    “I had an audience with King Audry in his palace. He is pompous and foolish and vain, but he shows a sense of humor, which is a trifle ponderous; still it exists.
    “I warned him that spies infested his household, and he laughed in my face. Since he had no secrets of any kind, Casmir wasted his money, which suited Audry perfectly well. There is nothing much more to tell, except that Audry is willing that you should marry his pregnant daughter Thaubin.”
    “This I am not ready for.”
    A footman entered and muttered into Aillas’ ear. Aillas screwed up his face and turned to Tristano. “Wait for me in the yard; for this business I am committed to privacy.”
    Tristano departed and a moment later Yane came into the room, so quietly that the air seemed not to stir behind him.
    Aillas jumped to his feet. “Once more you are back and once more I can breathe again!”
    “You over-estimate the danger,” said Yane.
    “If you were taken, you would sing a different song.”
    “No doubt. Sing I would, loudly and quickly, and hope to avoid Casmir’s persuasions. There are few men I fear. He is one of them.”
    Aillas again went to look out the window. “He must have other spies beside yourself.”
    “He does indeed, and one of them is a traitor among your close advisors. Casmir almost named me his name, then thought better of it. But this man sits in a high place.”
    Aillas pondered. “I wonder how close and how high.”
    “Very high and very close.”
    Aillas shook his head pensively. “I find it hard to believe.”
    “You confer often with your ministers?”
    “Every week, at least.”
    “These ministers are the same, from week to week?”
    “There is no great change.”
    “What are their names?”
    “They are six, all lords of the realm: Maloof. Pirmence. Foirry. Sion-Tansifer. Langlark. Witherwood. None could gain by Casmir’s victory.”
    “Which have cause for resentment?”
    Aillas shrugged. “Perhaps I am reckoned too young or too reckless or too headstrong. The South Ulfland expedition is not everywhere popular.”
    “Which of the six is the most zealous?”
    “Probably Maloof, who is Chancellor of the Exchequer. All are apt to their work. Langlark at times seems listless, but I have reason to exempt him from suspicion.”
    “What reason is this?”
    “I have tried to put the event out of my mind… now, it seems, wrongly. In Blaloc, as you know, shipyards build fishing boats and coastal traders. Recently a certain Duke Geronius of Armorica contracted for the construction of four heavy war-galleasses, of a class which could easily give us trouble on a calm day. Upon inquiry I discovered that Duke Geronius of Armorica is non-existent. He is Casmir, trying to create a navy on the sly. As soon as the ships are launched and Casmir has paid over his gold, I will send a force and burn them to the waterline, and there will be a great gnashing of teeth in Haidion Palace.”
    “So then?”
    “During a conference, with four ministers present, I mentioned rumors of ship-building at Port Posedel in Blaloc. I mentioned that I had asked a merchant dealing in glass bottles, now on his way to Port Posedel, to look into the matter.
    “The merchant never returned. I made inquiries at his factory and discovered that he had been murdered in Blaloc.”
    Yane nodded in slow rumination. “And the ministers who listened to your remarks?”
    “Maloof, Sion-Tansifer, Pirmence and Foirry. Langlark and Witherwood were not present.”
    “The incident would seem significant.”
    “Exactly so. But enough for now. I am off to Watershade with Tristano and Shimrod, where, if you will believe it, there is a vexing problem to be solved. With Shimrod’s help, the problem may dissolve and we will have a few days of simple peace.